If you want to change behaviors, you have to change motivations.
The Core Idea a doctor diagnosing an illness. Behavior is the symptom. It’s what you can see and observe. (e.g., A cough, a fever, or an employee who is always late, a child who refuses to do their homework). Motivation is the underlying disease or condition. It’s the hidden reason why the symptom exists. (e.g., A virus, inflammation, or the employee dreads their job, the child finds the work meaningless and fears failure). Charlie’s quote argues that you can’t just treat the symptom and expect a lasting cure. If you give someone cough medicine (punish the lateness) without treating the virus (addressing the dread of their job), the cough will just come back, or a new symptom will appear. ...